Ofcom awards local TV licences in Scotland

Ofcom has awarded licences to run the local TV services in two cities in Scotland. The new licences are for digital terrestrial TV (DTT) channels in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The awards follow new legislation enabling Ofcom to issue local TV licences. The channels will broadcast on a specific ‘multiplex’, a discrete amount of spectrum reserved for local TV broadcasting on DTT.

The licences have been awarded to Glasgow Television (GTV) and Edinburgh Television (ETV)

Licences are awarded for a period of up to 12 years. It is hoped that some channels may be on air before the end of 2013. As well as broadcasting on DTT, it is anticipated that local TV channels might also wish to offer their services on satellite, cable and online.

Ofcom has now awarded 13 local TV licences, and will make further licence awards in the coming months.